Seven Tips for Getting Your Money's Worth Out of College

An insider lets you in on these seven tips for hetting your money’s worth out of college.

Featured Author:

Dr. Lynn F. Jacobs and Jeremy Hyman

Dr. Lynn F. Jacobs is associate professor of Art History at the University of Arkansas. A specialist in Northern Renaissance Art, Lynn previously taught at Vanderbilt University, California State University Northridge, University of Redlands, and NYU. Lynn has received the National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship twice, and the University of Arkansas Prize for distinguished academic advising.

Jeremy S. Hyman is manager of Professors’ Guide projects. An expert in Early Modern Philosophy, Jeremy has taught at the University of Arkansas, MIT, UCLA, and Princeton University. Jeremy has received the University of California Regents award for distinguished teaching.

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5. Use the facilities. No, not the toilets. We mean the medical and counseling services on campus. Even though we don’t yet have universal health care in this country, most colleges have free medical facilities for their students. And especially if the colleges have a med school, the staff of the university health service can be top notch. Also, you can often find really good psychological counseling at colleges, either free or at a very reduced cost, through the health service or the University’s psychology department.

Extra Pointer. Once you’re in A-1 medical and emotional health, think about the free tutoring services available at almost all colleges: a graduate student, advanced undergraduate, or academic adviser can often help you slog through those killer required courses. All at no charge to you.

6. Travel on their dime. Wanna see the world? Consider the study abroad program. Many colleges have special scholarships or stipends to enable students to do research abroad or to take courses at “sister” universities. This can be a wonderful opportunity to improve your language skills, to do research in countries where the materials actually exist, and to take courses at colleges where they actually specialize in what you’re interested in.

4-Star Tip. Be sure to check that the courses you’re interested in are actually being offered the semester you plan to be there (College catalogs, even online, can be notoriously out of date). And be sure to investigate whether the courses taught are part of the regular university program or part of a special (often less good) “institute” designed only for overseas students.

Extra 4-Star Tip. Make sure you have a valid academic reason for wanting to study abroad. Hoping to find an Estonian bride, or groom, won’t cut it at most colleges.

7. Join the workforce. At many colleges, there are special work-study jobs to be had. Some of these – like being a museum guard or the checkout person at the college library – have long periods of down time, when you can do your homework at the college’s expense. And you’ll make friends with other student-workers, not to mention making goodwill with your parents (who’ll be happy that you’re bringing in a few bucks). Hey, is this a deal, or what?